Genealogy Conference and Education

Continuing your Genealogy and Family Research Education

Attending a genealogy conference is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a family researcher or professional genealogist. Not only will you benefit from the genealogy research education but you can hear about the different areas and opportunities that are out there. Genealogy education is something that never ends. There are always new records being released, new repositories opening their doors and let’s not forget new websites to conduct your research.

There are several society conferences and presentations coming up these next few months, here are a few you might want to check out.  

IGHR (Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research) on June 23-28  

Ontario Genealogical Society  on June 16-18  

McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society on July 8  

Genealogical Institute on Federal Records on July 10-14  

BYU Conference on Family History on July 25  

Palatines to America National Conference  on July 28-30 

Delaware

Delaware Genealogical Society  

• ·         Researching Military Records for Genealogy on June 10  
• ·         Saving Family Treasures on July 2  
• ·         Adventures in Research on Aug 6  

Downstate Genealogy Society  

• ·         Downstate Genealogy Society on June 10  

Sussex County Genealogical Society  

• ·         Breaking Through Brick Walls on May 25  
• ·         Beginners Intro to Learning About Genealogy on July 15  

Maryland

Maryland Genealogical Society  

• ·         Finding Overseas Origins of Your English Ancestors  on June 1 
• ·         Reward and Remembrance: Post-Military Service Records on June 3  
• ·         We are Maryland: Free Genealogy Workshop on Western Maryland on June 17  

Another bonus is all the networking you will be able to do, friends you’ll make, and if you’re lucky meet some long-lost family members. 

Presentation - Records? What Records?

The number of records you can find while doing your research can be overwhelming. Knowing what information they hold, the stories they share about your ancestors. While giving this presentation I address all of that and so much more.    

Presentation - Researching From the Couch

When giving this presentation I hear some interesting responses from those who have always "researched old school" their words. I agree completely that you can't complete your research sitting at home on the computer. But some find it a good place to start before they head out the door. So with this presentation I show you how to research on the internet, including some sites that you might not have visited yet, and some helpful tools for maneuvering around them.

Presentation - Cemetery Quick Finds

We can learn so many beautiful things about our ancestors when we include a visit to the cemetery in our research. Not only do we see dates and names, but you might also find information about their career or even an organization they belonged to.

Presentation - Including Newspapers in Our Research

Focusing on some of the wonderful nuggets of information found when including newspapers in our research. I love including newspapers in my research; you never know what you might find relating to those you’re researching. In addition, including newspapers in our study will help paint a larger picture.   

Presentations - Tracing Your African-American Roots

Tracing your African-American Roots

The journey starts here! Discover resources for researching your family history and genealogy. We discuss Slave Schedules, Voter Registration, Freedman’s Bureau, Plantations Records, Bill of Sales, and much more. 

Including Adoption

I'm revisiting a past post only because it came up again during a presentation at the Corbit Calloway Library in Odesa, Delaware. The word "adoption" isn't new to many of us while doing our family research or research for a client. But, unfortunately, it appears to be one of those words that cause confusion while some continue to conduct their own family research.

"Do I include someone who is adopted in my family tree?"
"Do I include the biological parents of my grandfather?"

My answer was yes to both, but I know some are concerned that this might offend the step-parent or the adoptive family members. For those conducting research for their own family, you must weigh its effects on all of those involved. But I reminded them that if this is a family member and you consider them family, they should be included; that was my opinion. At the same time, while most conduct their family research, their focus is directly on their "bloodline" and not the family member's title. I gave a professional research example when I came across an adopted family member (cousin, uncle, or aunt) while conducting research for a client that includes that family member. However, I do note that this family member was adopted.  I leave it up to all my clients that it is their choice to follow up on this notation and want to research more on this family member. But suppose I find that a direct family member (mother, father, or grandparent) is adopted. In that case, I feel obligated as a researcher to include the information about the biological family members. As I've always said, once my research is completed and I review everything with the client, it is up to them what they do with that information. 

Lost But Found Again

As researchers we encounter those wonderful stories of uniting our clients with their family history through the research that we do. That is a wonderful gift, job or tool however you word it, we take pride in what we do and don’t take it lightly. Recently I had to opportunity to reunite someone’s family history with the family. Okay I can see you tilting your head from side to side trying to figure out what on earth I’m talking about.

Some of you are aware as to how I started in genealogy; you might have seen me present or read one of my blog postings about the wonderful things that can be found on the internet to help in your search. One of those sites I’ve mentioned was eBay and searching for family letters to research, blog about or aid in a client’s research.  Well recently while reviewing a purchase made a few years back I realized that the dates on some letters were post stamped in the late 1990’s. As a genealogist I research “for the living” I don’t research the living. I find it exciting to discover a family’s history along with that family member, client.  After noticing the dates I ventured out to research “the living” and see if I could reunite the family with this wonderful collection that I had purchased so many years ago.  What a wonderful feeling it was to speak with a member of the family and discover these were things many family members had never seen.  I had mixed feeling during the end of our phone conversation both of joy and great sadness.  It turned out this family collection had been stolen; yes that was where my sadness entered.  But I quickly found joy in the fact that many years ago I purchased the “lot” of letters, photos and documents and with multiple moves I packed them away in a box for safe keeping. Only to then pull them out a couple weeks ago, locate the family and reunite them with pieces of their family history that they thought were gone forever.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again I “LOVE” doing this. 

Cemetery Quick Find Presentation

I’m sitting here preparing for tomorrow evenings presentation. This looks to be the perfect time of month to be presenting on cemeteries and what you can find while doing your research.  I will be discussing the different types of cemeteries you can include in your research.  The symbols that can be found on some headstones, there meaning and the story they can hold about the loved on buried.  I will also review some of the “Tombstone Tuesday” blog postings and how walking through the cemetery helped to find out more about those families.

I will be the guest speaker at the Middletown Historical Society on the 20th of October, tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM here in Middletown, Delaware.  You don’t have to be a member to attend the meetings so if you are in the area please stop by.   

Enjoyed Presenting at Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society

This past Saturday I was the guest speaker at the Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society in Dover. I presented on “Searching Newspapers” pointing out some of the wonderful nuggets of information that can be found when including newspapers in your research. The turnout was great as were the questions and the presentation was well received. I don’t know about most of you but I love including newspapers in my research you never know what you might find relating to those you’re researching. Plus the pages offer you a glimpse into their lives, helping to paint a larger picture of them and what was happening in the world at that time.  

Presenting Today "Searching Newspapers"

I'm excited today to be heading down to Dover and presenting on some of the fun things and hidden information you find while "Searching Newspapers". Thank you Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society for inviting me to present today.

Don't Give Up

Don’t give up on your research into your family history. We all start out with a tree similar to this one.

But over time of viewing photographs, reading documents and visiting many repositories you begin to see your family tree starting to form.

Then before you know it your tree will become full of leaves and yes maybe a nut or two. 

September Presentation - "Cemetery Quick Finds"

Angela Rodesky with ARodesky Genealogy will be the guest speaker this month at the Middletown Historical Society meeting. She will be presenting on her “Cemetery Quick Finds” from our local cemeteries here in Middletown, Delaware.  Members and non-members are encouraged to attend this informative and fun presentation at 7:30 on the 15^th of September at the Old Academy Building, 216 N. Broad Street here in Middletown.

Four Month Presentation Wrap Up

“Thank you so much for your assistance, and sharing your wealth of knowledge about this field.   I have already made progress as a result of your help.  If you do another set of lessons, I will definitely attend.”  - Claude Newton

That was just one comment from those who attended four presentations over a four month span that I did here in Middletown, Delaware at the Middletown Historical Society Museum. It always feels good knowing that what I love to do helps others, wither it be in breaking that brick wall or helping them and encouraging them to continue the research that they started.

For a quick look back it all started on the 28^th of May with the first presentation title “Where do I begin?” the turnout was fantastic. The presentation was what you read in the title, we covered the research process, where to start and the process of collecting and organizing your research. The feedback and questions were some that many of have heard before, “where do I get birth certificates”, “can I compile all information on one surname into a folder” and “is it better to keep everything on a computer or in binders on paper”.

The second presentation happened on the 25^th of June with “Records? What Records?” and just like the last presentation was great. With this one we went a step further and I guess you could say piggy backed on the presentation in May. I mentioned the importance of records in not only the beginning of your research but throughout the whole process. So we went over what records are available, the information that some records contain and how to obtain those records. I have to say the feedback and questions were good, “are the death certificates 100% accurate”, “why are some name’s misspelled from one year to the next on census records” and “why can’t I find a death certificate for all of relatives”.

The third presentation was on the 30^th of July “Researching from Your Couch” again another great turn out with fantastic questions and comments. Yes going to a facility to conduct our research is a must for most of us. But at the same time we like to conduct some of our research from the comfort of our own homes. This was the perfect opportunity to take a different approach on presenting. I thought it might be fun to ask those who would be at this presentation to email me someone they would like to receive more information about or maybe a brick wall they have hit. So during the presentation I would actually plug in those surnames into many different research sites. I was a nice new way to present and they not only learned how to navigate some sites but also get some answers.

Then the fourth and final presentation was last night the 27^th of August “Middletown’s Treasure Trove” with yes, another nice turn out for the final presentation. For the final presentation I wanted to be able to not only show everyone the wonderful treasures of information that is available in the research room. But I also know that there were still questions about research and I wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to get answers to some of those questions. The class was split up into two sections and half went up into the research room and took a tour with George Contant, who answered question and showed the request for records process. While the other half stayed with me and took the opportunity to ask questions and get some additional information. Then they switched so everyone had a chance to take a tour and get those answers.    

   

Olde-Tyme Peach Festival

Most of us have had the opportunity to attend some interesting, fun and historical community events. Well Saturday of last week Middletown, Delaware had the”22^nd Annual Olde-Tyme Peach Festival” hosted by the Middletown Historical Society.  Everything kicked off with a parade at 9am making its way down Broad Street, it was a typical parade with floats, bands, horses and the streets lined with members of the community and surrounding communities. When the parade came to an end the estimated 30,000 plus people then made their way wondering around Main Street seeing all of the booths, exhibits and historical reenactors. You could find music, food, games and of course peaches lots of peaches, peach pies, jams, jellies even peach butter.

This was the first year that I played a part in the event and had a great time.  As I’ve mentioned in past postings I spend some hours volunteering in the research room at the museum.  This year it was decided that we bring some items out of the research room and display them for everyone to see. As most of us know not everyone is aware of what information can be found in some historical societies.  What better way to share these hidden treasures then at an event like this.  Yes this is where part of my role was this year, just in case you are wondering.

Just one of the valuable resources that were offered was the chance to see if “Did your family make Middletown's headlines?”. This alone brought a lot of interesting family stories to the attention of some. The historical society took the opportunity a few years back to have the Middletown Transcript, the oldest existing newspaper in Delaware, digitized and searchable covering 124 years from 1868 – 1992. There were many lined up to enter a surname or two hopping to find their names in the headlines or at least mentioned in an article. Of course some were shocked, to say the least, to find their family member was arrested for public disturbance. Others weren’t so shocked and even said, “Of course they were what else would you expect from a family that celebrates life.”

 I was happy to answer questions and provide some help to those who had always thought about researching their families but had no idea where to start or hit a “dry dead weed rough patch” as one lady put it with a smile and a laugh. The Middletown Historical Society accepted a $150 genealogy research report from me, ARodesky Genealogy, to be given away at $1 chance drawing and all of the money collected went to the society. This was a chance drawing that was very well accepted and some entered many times for the opportunity to find out more about their family history.  The family “stories” that were shared with me were some of the most amazing, funny and some heartbreaking but a reality that they wanted to find out more about.

Congratulations We Have a Winner

Congratulations to Jennifer Beyer of Wilmington, Delaware on her recent win at the 2015 Olde-Tyme Peach Festival in Middletown, Delaware. Jennifer Beyer was the lucky winner of the $150 Genealogy Research Report that was offered by the Middletown Historical Society and donated by Angela Rodesky, owner of ARodesky Genealogy.

Letting Go of the Stories

Something to remember while doing your family research, and it might be the hardest thing you will ever do while researching.  “Let go of the stories and search for the truth”, some of you have already tackled a task like this and others haven’t found comfort in doing so yet.

Many of us have grown up with some of the most amazing family stories that have been passed down from one generation to the next. They were shared during dinners, holidays, and family reunions and even during visitations at funerals. For the most part they are that “stories” and as researchers we not only listen to the stories but we search for the facts, documents. Don't get me wrong not all of our family stories lack truth. I only bring this up because there are some who search for the facts to match the stories and either come up empty handed or with false documentation. While researching your families start with the facts that you do know and work backwards and then the stories will fall into place.

This photograph was taken in 1986 at family gathering. In photograph Fred Elfrank, Willard Estes, Ruth Strum, Mac Estes, Dallas Estes, Doris Collier, Dottie McLeon and Jean Hatson.

Middletown Historical Society - Genealogy Classes

From the May 21, 2015 Middletown Transcript in Middletown, Delaware

Hunt for ancestors at Historical Society’s free genealogy classes

From Staff Reports

     The Middletown Historical Society is offering free genealogy classes to help participants research who their ancestors were. Knowing their stories can be life affecting, not to mention fun to find. 

     Beginning Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m., the community is invited to the Middletown Historical Society Museum for the first of four classes led by genealogist Angie Rodesky which will clear the mysteries about how to find your ancestors.

     While the classes are free registration is required by emailing Rodesky at arodesky@gmail.com or calling 1-913-702-6489.

     Each class will build research skills by teaching about the tools and techniques for finding the amazing amount of information available, often from the comfort of your home.

     Rodesky is a full-time professional genealogist of over 12 years, who has traveled the world doing research and consultations. She does private group presentations such as these classes, and is a published author and freelance writer. Her work has been featured on the History Channel’s “How the States Got Their Shapes,” “Genealogy Roadshow” on PBS, and Federal Genealogical Society radio programs.

     Classes will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and the schedule is as follows:

May 28 – Where do I begin? The research process and organizing your information.

June 25 – Records? What records? Documents such as census records, death certificates, land records, military records, and more – the information they contain and how to obtain them.

July30 – Researching from your couch. How to research on the internet, including some sites that you might not have visited yet, and some helpful tools for maneuvering around them.

Aug. 27 – Middletown’s treasure trove. The amount of information that the Middletown Historical Society has amassed and organized is one of the treasures of our town. Rodesky has spent much time in the Historical Society’s research room, going through books, The Middletown Transcript, and the growing archives. The last session will include a tour of what’s available in the research room and the process of requesting records and assistance.

     Each class includes a question – and – answer session at the end.

     The Middletown Historical Society Museum is location in the Old Academy, 216 N. Broad St., Middletown. 

Brick Wall vs. Sinkhole

   By now I’m sure most of us have run into that head scratching “brick wall” while doing our research. At least if you haven’t run into one you have at least heard of it. Quick definition: you’re stuck in your research.  But how about that “sinkhole” have any of you experienced the “sinkhole”? A sinkhole is when you find yourself surrounded by so much information and continue to receive more information that leads to more research. I’ve heard of a few that refer to it as a “rabbit hole.” 

Does this look like your sinkhole? 

or 

Is this what your faced with doing your research?

  

Ancestral Telephone Game

     Have you ever played the telephone game where one person in a group whispers a message to another person?  Everyone continues to whisper the same message throughout the group until the last person repeats the message out loud for all to hear. Only to find out that what was revealed by the last person isn’t even close to the original message. Don’t know about you but this sounds like some of my past research projects.  It appears that some of our ancestors have been playing this game for many years.

     All joking aside you know it’s true and many of us have had to tell either our own family members or our clients that every story pasted down through their ancestors isn’t completely accurate. Sometimes that can be a difficult task to face and truthfully it can be very touchy at times. I know I’ve been faced with this multiple times.  Explaining something as light as their ancestor’s actual date of birth is off by a month to letting them know that their great grandparents actually aren’t a blood relative at all. I have gotten mixed reactions, as is to be expected, when placing this documented find in their report and discussing it. I’m not sure how everyone else’s feels about situations like this.

     I personally take a professional stand point with a heavy dose of compassion. I’ve been hired to research their family, and in doing so I provide “all” information and documentation to support what I have found. In doing so they might find what they were told in that “ancestral telephone game” isn’t completely accurate.  Once my research is completed and I’ve given them their report it’s up to them to do what they will with the information. I know that I did my job that I was hired to do and provided them with a complete report and documents to support. It’s not my job to pick and choose what stays in a report to fit in with the stories they have always been told.  

     We never know what the end results are in those ancestral telephone games, sometimes they can be viewed as normal and boring while other times intriguing and mysterious.  But the important thing for me is to share the truth of what I have found.  We can’t all be a decedent of royalty.